Shell penalized with fine of more than $347 million pesos for pollution in Antofogasta

SANTIAGO.- The Electricity and Fuel Supervisor (SEC) has sentenced the Shell Corporation to pay a fine of 800 UTA (eight hundred yearly tax units), equal to more than $347 million pesos, for the faulty maintenance of their facilities in Antofogasta.

Following the decision, the company filed a complaint with the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court, both of which finally decided to ratify the fine imposed by the SEC.

The incidents began on April 4th of 2005, when the Maritime Authority of Antofogasta informed various supervising entities of a high level of hydrocarbons in the coastal area called Playa Las Petroleras, where a storage plant operated by Shell has been located since 1998.

After finding out about the reports, the SEC performed an inspection on the plant in order to identify what was responsible for the problem.

On December 15th of 2005, after analyzing records and waste components of the company, the SEC decided to impose a fine of 800 UTA (eight hundred yearly taxation units) on Shell.